Physics (and chemistry) outreach to West Salem Elementary

by robb on September 3, 2015

As part of the West Salem Elementary afterschool enrichment program, physics majors Linnea Kremer (2017, Left), Sarah Dvorak (2016, Center), and Hannah Lyle (2017, Right) led a course on physics and chemistry concepts in February 2015. This was the fourth semester in a row that Roanoke College physics students and/or professors had taught an enrichment course pertaining to physical science at West Salem. Entitled “Curious Minds”, the curriculum consisted of fun and exciting demonstrations to encourage questions and participation from the 2nd and 3rd grade students. It was encouraging to see our physics majors step out independently and conduct the course without immediate faculty supervision. As you can see in the picture below, the girls were a little nervous before their teaching debut. Good-on-ya!

In related outreach, in May 2015 physics majors Amanda Wright (2016) and Jacob Barfield (2017) participated in West Salem Elementary’s 2nd annual STEM night for 1st – 5th graders. The event was attended by over 600 students and their families. Jacob is showing off his anti-gravity skills by creating a vacuum in the wine glass. It is always exciting (and fun) to see a good demonstration.